Mirrors were being polished, paintwork touched up and furniture rearranged at the Savoy ahead of Sunday’s long-awaited reopening of the landmark hotel, a moment that will reignite competition in London’s luxury hospitality market. The Strand establishment is back in business after a refurbishment by designer Pierre-Yves Rochon that cost owners Prince Alwaleed bin Talal of Saudi Arabia and Lloyds Banking Group’s HBOS unit £220m – more than £100m over budget – and overran by 18 months. EDITOR’S CHOICE London warned on green finance boom - Sep-06 Foreign investment boost for London - Jul-26 Bankers sense a reprieve for the City - Jun-26 City seen as exposed to reforms - Jun-18 Solid foundations for City resurgence - Jun-17 By renovating every worthwhile historical artefact, the Savoy is bent on exploiting its heritage and the splendour of its furnishings. Each of its 650 staff were given lessons in dancing the Charleston and the waltz to ensure they appreciated the history of a place that through the decades has been the hotel of choice for Hollywood stars, royalty and big business. But like every major hotel upgrade, its purpose is to place the establishment’s rates at a higher level than before. Hotel guests will appreciate the Savoy’s trappings, but they will do so at a price that begins to pay back the investment of its owners. For £18,900, they could enjoy a methuselah of Cristal 2002 in the new Beaufort bar, while a glass of champagne is £14 and afternoon tea £38. In the American Bar, world champion cocktail shakers will prepare them a Winston cocktailfor £80. Doorman Peter Maylin stands outside the Savoy in London’s Strand. All staff have been given lessons in the waltz to ensure they appreciated the history of the hotel Rooms that were once £200-250 a night are now £350. For the pleasure of staying in the suite once used by soprano Maria Callas, one of nine “personality suites”, guests will pay £2,500 a night. Kiaran MacDonald, general manager at the Savoy, says: “Yes, it’s considerably more expensive, but we have got a much nicer and more luxurious product.” Financial Times The Guardian